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Trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium

AbsoluteApril

AbsoluteApril

mighty blue justice
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Utta and I went to visit the Aquarium last week, we had a great time. I got some video of sharks, jellies and the feeding of the otters, I'll add it on once it's ready.

Adorable loggerhead turtle
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Trying to get some shots of him and got photobombed by a puffer
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2 of the otters
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Special exhibit going on right now is - Tentacles!
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Flamboyant cuttlefish, these lil guys are smaller than a quarter. Got some video of them as well.
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My favorites were the jelly fish
especially these spotted lil cuties
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Upside down jellies!
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Skate egg cases cut open to show the developing embryo
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these guys were hanging out together singing 'Best friends'
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limit of 12 photos per post... anyways saved best for last
:rofl:

elusive gopher snake 'molt'
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Hope you enjoyed!
-April
 
Those are gorgeous pictures!!! I'm amazed at how beautiful the jellyfish are. I always though that they would be difficult to keep but those look very healthy.
 
I'm glad to hear that you guys had an awesome time there, thanks for sharing these neat pictures! :D
The upside down jelly one is my favorite~
 
Those are absolutely gorgeous, April! Octopus species have always been one of my favorite marine animals. The jellyfish photos are just stunning! Thanks so much for sharing.

(And please give a friendly "hey" out to Utta :))
 
I love that place, I haven't been there in probably 12 years, but it is back on my list. Thanx for the great pictures. Is it still true that all of the sea life there is from the bay and surrounding Pacific?
 
I used to live in San Luis Obispo and moved to Monterey bay back about 30 years ago. I love that whole area. I took a month and a half riding my motorcycle from San Diego up the whole coast line. It was very impressive to see Big Sur and the Redwood national forest.

Best time of my life. I looked like the Beverly Hillbillies when they moved to Cali. But I was on a Honda rice rocket with everything to camp and live on the road. Piled up so high I had a great back rest. I gad a cop pull me over and took my picture in San Fran. It was too funny. He couldn't believe I gad the amount if gear I had all strapped on and secure. He didn't give a ticket because he couldn't get anything yo fall off.

The whole bay us the bomb. I miss that area.

Awesome pics
 
I'm glad everyone is enjoying the photos! So many of the jelly photos were blurry, those guys are always on the move. I'm happy some came out clear enough to share.

Casey Hulse said:
Is it still true that all of the sea life there is from the bay and surrounding Pacific?
Click to expand...

The majority of the critters, yes, are all from this area. They have added a few things, like penguins and of course they have the wide ranging ocean species, like sharks and Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna (and the occasional great white).

All of the water used is directly from the bay which is pretty cool. I would suspect this helps account for how well the variety of species fare in captivity.

LauraB said:
(And please give a friendly "hey" out to Utta :))
Click to expand...

I poked him to come say hello :D
I think we'll be taking a trip out to the redwoods soon.
 
Awesome pics, thanks for sharing :)

I used to like jellyfish a lot more until one stung me between the legs while I was on vacation in the Carolinas. Never felt such a horrible sensation.
 
JColt said:
Sissy..... ;)
Click to expand...

I know, man up right? :p

It actually happened when I was a kid, my parents thought I was just being dramatic until we got back to the hotel and they saw it. Unfortunately for me, this was after having to sit at the beach for another hour or two.

I still have to admit, they do look awesome...I just know to keep a pane of glass between them and me now :)
 
I use to lifeguard at Daytona Beach and New Symrna Fla back in 1977 to 80. Had my fair share of stings. Not fun. Big crab grabbing your feet kinda sucks also, lol.
 
Awesome pics; I went to the aquarium years ago as a teenager and loved the experience. My local aquarium just doesn't compare to it; the massive deep sea tank with the whale shark might have been my favorite exhibit. But there were a lot of cool things there to go and see. These pics make me want to go back there someday soon, thanks for sharing!
 
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